MLB average salary up 5.4 percent to $3.39 million
NEW YORK (AP) -- While the New York Yankees set another salary record, the Houston Astros had the lowest average in the major leagues in 14 years and the attention of the players' union....

AP source: Padres, Benoit agree to 2-year deal
SAN DIEGO (AP) -- The San Diego Padres have agreed with former Detroit Tigers closer Joaquin Benoit on a $15.5 million, two-year contract, a person familiar with the situation said Wednesday....

APNewsBreak: Yankees hit with $28M luxury tax
NEW YORK (AP) -- The New York Yankees were hit with a $28 million luxury tax bill, pushing their total past the $250 million mark since the penalty began in 2003....

AP source: Orioles, Balfour agree to 2-year deal
BALTIMORE (AP) -- Two weeks after trading their closer to Oakland, the Baltimore Orioles agreed to a two-year, $15 million contract with former Athletics closer Grant Balfour on Tuesday, according to a person familiar with the deal....

Tanaka says he wants to pursue career in MLB
TOKYO (AP) -- Pitcher Masahiro Tanaka wants to move to Major League Baseball next season but his Japanese team doesn't want to let him go....

Indians, closer John Axford agree to 1-year deal
CLEVELAND (AP) -- After considering some in-house options, the Cleveland Indians may have found their new closer on the outside....

PR firm owner's testimony blocked in A-Rod case
NEW YORK (AP) -- A federal judge says the owner of a public relations firm won't have to testify for now at an arbitration proceeding for New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez....

Ellsbury shifts from Yanks' `thorn' to `flower'
NEW YORK (AP) -- Joe Girardi is happy to see Jacoby Ellsbury in Yankees pinstripes instead of the uniform of the rival Boston Red Sox....

Yanks say Cano got respect, just not $200 million
NEW YORK (AP) -- The Yankees had plenty of praise for Robinson Cano, just not the money he wanted....

Injuries, losses prompt MLB to seek collision ban
LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. (AP) -- Baseball officials are up front about this: They want to ban home plate collisions to guard their investments....